LEGO is on a mission to help kids achieve their dreams – even if that dream is to explore the final frontier!

A new study by the LEGO group revealed just how passionate the younger generation is about space exploration and what may be lurking in space.

The study found that almost 90% of children are interested in finding new planets, stars and galaxies, while 70% are keen to travel to space. LEGO Australia decided to harness children’s continued fascination with space, by heading to regional Australia and bringing a crop circle to life.

The team, created the crop circle, which was inspired by the iconic LEGO minifig, in Narromine, NSW, just outside of Dubbo.

But LEGO’s obsession with space didn’t end there. A crowd of children recently gathered in the LEGO Certified Store in Sydney to meet with the first astronaut trained under the Australian flag, Katherine Bennell-Pegg. It was her first public appearance since graduating from the European Astronaut Centre.

“The Australian Space Agency and LEGO Australia share a unified vision for exploration and discovery, and I believe that unlocking creativity through the medium of LEGO play will give Aussie kids the very best chance to pursue their passion and prepare them for the future,” Katherine said.

Scientists at the European Space Agency (ESA), where Katherine trained, used dust from a 4.5 billion year old meteorite to 3D print bricks, similar to LEGO, to help design astronaut shelters in space. Very cool!

And of course, kids can always indulge their love for space by playing with LEGO space toys and sets.